'King lotus' takes center stage in ancient town

A child sits on a king lotus in a lotus garden located in Guoju Ancient Town in Ningbo's Beilun district. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]

Visitors to Guoju Ancient Town in Ningbo's Beilun district now have the opportunity to marvel at a variety of lotus known as the "king lotus", which has the ability to support the weight of a person.

What sets the king lotus apart are its large blossoms, measuring approximately 30 centimeters in diameter, and its gigantic leaves, which span over 2 meters in diameter, which explains its regal title.

Gracefully gliding atop the water's surface like a buoyant disk, the king lotus has the ability to bear up to 50 kilograms of weight. The majority of the lotus leaves have already reached full maturity. "This is the perfect time to witness the grandeur of the king lotus. Its leaves and veins have grown exceptionally thick, providing extraordinary buoyancy," explains Jiang Haiyan, manager of the lotus garden in Guoju Ancient Town.

Originally found in the Amazon River basin of South America, the king lotus blooms from July to October.

In 2018, the lotus garden, where these special lotuses are cultivated, was set up in Guoju Ancient Town, forming an integrated agricultural complex that encompasses cultivation, processing, picking, and sightseeing.

The gigantic leaves of the king lotus resemble green jade plates, gracefully scattered throughout the entire pond. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]